Newcastle Highlanders is licking its wounds after defeat on Saturday.
Through squandered opportunities and staying a step behind Piet Retief Rugby Club at the Arbor Park Grounds, the team certainly has some introspection to do going forward. It was enough to have the coaches roaring in fury.
Following a period of back-and-forth action, Piet Retief opened the scoring from the counter-attack a few minutes in, crossing the try line for a converted try. Its lead was doubled a short while later. Despite Highlanders having the better of the possession in the first quarter, Piet Retief made better use of time with the ball in-hand.
Highlanders’ first real chance came at the end of the first 20. Left wing, Gary de Jager would have been away for five points, if not for a fumbled carry which allowed Piet Retief to lead the counter-charge. This move ended with a telling tackle from fullback, Janri Barnard.
With Highlanders under pressure to bounce back, Piet Retief took full advantage and came inches from scoring another try. This forced the home team to double down on its defense.
It was not enough to deny the visitors five more points, which left Highlanders looking down the proverbial barrel in front of its home crowd. The next move saw the locals miss an opportunity out wide.
Moments later however, Highlanders sacked the Piet Retief scrumhalf during a set piece, with a perfectly weighted cross kick setting up a try in the corner. It was enough for the team to find its second wind.
The home team’s next score came from a well-worked line-out set piece, muscling the ball close before flanker, Mlu Phakathi dove over for the five points: 19 – 12.
Highlanders drew level after a fine display of passing between Bradley Swartbooi and Barnard, who juggled the ball and then fended off a Piet Retief player to dot down.
The next few phases were all Piet Retief however. After swinging the ball from left to right, the visitors eventually broke the deadlock to enter the half time break 24 – 19 ahead.
Highlanders started the second half off in possession.
Piet Retief did well to deny the home team a chance to equalise, but also missed a chance to stretch out its lead through a penalty attempt.
Set pieces continued to be the bane of Highlanders. With both teams unable to score for an extended period of time, tempers flared as the third quarter wound down, resulting in a yellow card for Piet Retief.
Highlanders immediately set about utilising the one-man advantage. Despite demolishing the Piet Retief scrum, the home team butchered a few try-scoring chances and gifted possession to the visitors. Highlanders then regained the ball by holding up a maul.
Piet Retief was let off the hook yet again, although the Highlanders defense managed to keep the attackers out of the end zone.
This unfortunately, did not last. Facing a 14-point deficit, Highlanders seemed down and out although Barnard showed the heart of a champion, chasing down attacker after attacker. His efforts alone could not prevent another try.
Piet Retief used a quick line out to unsettle the Highlanders’ defense, using pace and width to score in the corner. Only minutes remained, with the score 38 – 19.
Highlanders’ replacement forward, Buffalo Ngcobo almost crossed the whitewash, but was shunted into touch by the ever-present Piet Retief fly-half.
This sustained the stonewall image of the visitors’ defensive line. Barnard was foiled from scurrying through with chip-and-chase, and a sweeping movement from Highlanders ended with a pass into touch, and also closed off the match.
Highlanders will certainly rue the missed scoring chances, and will have to polish its finishing ahead of tough games to come this season.
Highlanders will be in action against White River this weekend, as part of the Pumas (Mpumalanga) Premier League.
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